Music by Richard Rodgers Directed by John van Druten

Lyrics & Book by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on Anna And The King Of Siam by Margaret Landon

Anna, a young English widow, is summoned to Siam by the king to serve as tutor to his many children and wives. The king is considered a barbarian by those in the West, and he seeks Anna's assistance in changing his image. Although both keep a firm grip on their respective traditions and values, Anna and the king grow to understand and, eventually, respect one another. Read the complete synopsis! For more of a look at the way things unfold, browse through the lyrics to the show.

Author Margaret Landon found a copy of Anna Leonowens' book The English Governess at the Siamese Court while she was a missionary in Thailand. In 1944, she took Anna's story and blended fact and fiction into the novel that became the inspiration for Rodgers and Hammerstein's show, and the subsequent movie version. Read more about the original novel, the movie or about the development of the musical.

I've got a couple of different recordings of this show, though I still need to get the original Broadway cast. Read my reviews of the CDs, or listen to a clip from one of my favourite songs.

I haven't seen this show on stage yet! It was part of the Stratford season in 2003, but I wasn't able to make it. Hopefully I'll have the chance to see it soon, and I'll add my thoughts here when I do!

Most people probably think of the actors in the films when they think of this show - here's my thoughts on a few of my favourite performers who have appeared in it. Once you're done looking around here, check out some of the other The King and I sites that are out there.